AC3.1 CPS

Question 1

What is the CPS’s philosophy?

Answer 1

Independence and fairness, honesty and openness, treating everyone with respect, behaving professionally, equality and inclusion

Question 2

What are the CPS’s aims and objectives?

Answer 2

Main public protection prosecutor, set up in 1986 under Prosecution of Offences Act 1985- took over prosecuting role from police due to risk of bias

Question 3

What does the CPS’s role involve?

Answer 3

Advise police in their investigations about lines of inquiry + evidence needed to build case, independently assesses evidence submitted by police, decides whether to prosecute + what charges
, assists, informs and supports victims

Question 4

Where does the CPS’s funding come from?

Answer 4

Mostly from the government

Question 5

What is the CPS’s budget?

Answer 5

Half a billion £ a year

Question 6

By 2018, what % of the budget had the CPS fallen by?

Answer 6

25%

Question 7

How many staff did the CPS loose during budget cuts?

Answer 7

A third

Question 8

Reach- How many regional area teams are there for the CPS?

Answer 8

14 regional area teams prosecuting cases locally

Question 9

How often is CPS direct available?

Answer 9

24/7

Question 10

What are the two tests the CPS must apply when deciding whether to prosecute a case?

Answer 10

Evidential and public interest tests